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Suzhou Travel Guide

Suzhou is located in southern Jiangsu Province in the center of the Yangtze Delta. Shanghai lies to the east, Zhejiang Province to the south, Wuxi City to the west and the Yangtze River to the north. The city is divided by the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal from north to south. Since 42% area of the city is covered by water, including a vast number of ponds and streams, it is praised as the 'Venice of the Orient'. Built in 514 BC, this is an ancient city with over 2,500 years of history and numerous points of interest. The unique characteristics of the past are still retained today. The double-chessboard layout of the city, with 'the streets and rivers going side by side while the water and land routes running in parallel', is preserved intact.

The mild climate makes the city a desirable destination all year round. Touring the wonderful ancient water towns in the vicinity or lingering in the exquisite classical gardens in the downtown area, you will truly know the charm of a 'paradise on earth'. As the saying goes - 'Gardens to the south of the Yangtze River are the best in the world, and Suzhou gardens are the best among them'. These gardens attain their high reputation not only for their vast numbers, but also for their charming natural beauty and harmonious construction. At present more than 60 gardens are kept intact in the city, and some of them have been listed in the World Heritage List.

Attractions

Humble Administrator's Garden

Zhouzhuang Water Town

Click to see all Suzhou Attractions

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Transportation

There is no airport in the city and travelers should use the nearby Shanghai Pudong Airport or Hongqiao Airport. With four main train stations, the railway is well-developed. Frequent bullet trains run between Suzhou and Shanghai, which makes it possible to travel between the two cities in 30 minutes. Subway trains and convenient city buses can take visitors to most attractions within the city.

Weather

Dining

Tasting local delicacies should not be forgotten in your journey. Suzhou Cuisine belongs to the Jiangsu Style, which is one of the eight famous cuisines of China. The special sweet flavor and delicate appearance make the dishes greatly popular. Authentic notable local dishes and snacks can be found in Guanqian Street. You’ll never forget the delicious food and friendly service.

Shopping

Silk and embroidery are the very souvenirs most visitors are eager to buy in China. Here you have come to the right place. The city is the original site of Su Embroidery, and the silk products here enjoy a high reputation worldwide. If you want to buy, we recommend the souvenir stores at the Suzhou Silk Museum and Embroidery Museum.

Nightlife

Local nightlife is much quieter and more leisurely than in big cities like Beijing and Shanghai. When night falls, one can enjoy the lovely scene on Shantang Street, take a boat ride on the Shantang River, or watch the local Kun Opera and Pingtan performance while sipping a cup of tea in a teahouse. Pubs or bars are also available, but traditional cultures are hardly felt there.

8 Things to Do in Suzhou at Night

Culture

The city is the cradle of Chinese Wu Culture. Many great names and schools of art arose here. For example, the Wumen Fine Arts School is the finest in the city's history. Pingtan, Kun Opera and Suzhou Opera are praised as 'the three flowers' in the cultural history of the city. Furthermore, embroidery, fans and brocade produced here are noted worldwide.